Celtic's Europa League opponents Lazio are embroiled in a diving row after Ciro Immobile was accused of hitting the deck too easily to win two penalties against Atalanta this weekend.
Immobile netted both spot-kicks after he went down in the area, leading Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini to criticise the Italian striker.
The two sides drew 3-3 after Lazio stormed back from going three goals down to their visitors at Stadio Olimpico.
✍️ Nota della Società: ingiustificate ed inaccettabili le dichiarazioni di Gasperini
— S.S.Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) October 19, 2019
➡️ https://t.co/Nf2WtZyWau pic.twitter.com/xlaXqqxRLR
And, after Gasperini's blasts, the Serie A giants released a full statement of their own sniping back at the "completely unjustified and unacceptable" remarks.
The statement read: "The SS Lazio considers the statements made by Gian Piero Gasperini at the end of the match held today at the Olimpico to be completely unjustified and unacceptable.
"According to the Atalanta coach, the result of the tie would have been caused by the address given to the meeting by the refereeing errors related to the two penalties caused by the "clever" simulation of Ciro Immobile, an address that would have renewed the hypothetical arbitration errors occurred during the final of the Italian Cup won by Lazio last May.
"Gasperini's statements have no justification in the light of the full and recognised validity of the rigours caused by his team.
Lazio fans blast 'farcical' UEFA decision and claim Celtic have 'massive advantage'
"They also represent an unacceptable offense to the professionalism and fairness of a player like Ciro Immobile who has never resorted to simulations of any sort during his career.
"The bitterness for a vanished victory is humanly understandable but in no way justifies the attempt to reject the result of the field by formulating imaginative and bizarre theses and questioning the seriousness of an exemplary player like Ciro Immobile."
After the scathing statement, Atalanta felt the need to respond, insisting their manager is entitled to voice his opinion.
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